Amadou Balaké's name may not ring bells right away, but he is (or should be) more famous
than one would say in first instance. Born in Burkina Faso, or Haute Volta as it was called at the time, he played in Ghana
before breaking through in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. In that city of musical crossroads he worked for years with producer
Aboudou Lassissi who runned a successful label Sacodis in the late 1970s and early 1980s. For Sacodis, he made several
albums, recording songs in various styles, many of them with a strong latin tinge in the Charanga tradition. But he also
recorded songs with heavy Malian influence, highlife or afro-funk. Later albums he recorded with Lassissi in America.

Amadou Balaké (sometimes also written as Ballaké) was asked to act as guest singer for
Africando's 2000 album
« Betece » (also released as « Mandali »), on which he sang
the title song « Betece ». He is now a full member of Africando and participates in their tours.
He recorded the song « Abibou » for the 2003 album « Martina » by Africando.

International exposure of Amadou's solo work was increased when his old hit « Taximen » was
featured on the much acclaimed compilation Golden Afrique Vol.1. Soon after, a reissue of the album
« Taximen » came out, thus showing the
rest of the world the talent and the warm voice of Balake.